CROWNS ACADEMY || A Royalty's Academia Book Series #1

෴VOLUME [38]෴

Rai's POV

Crowns Academy never truly slept. 

Even at dawn, the grand halls were alive with whispers of ambition. Sunlight filtered through the towering stained-glass windows, splashing royal blues, emerald greens, and molten gold across the marble floors. The scent of fresh-cut orchids trailed from the main atrium, where preparations for Tinku’s fashion show had begun in full force. 

And I — I could barely contain my excitement. 

This week, Tinku's design class chose her to host the annual Crowns Academy fashion show and I was going to be one of the models.

After Thailand, everything felt sharper, brighter, like I’d been dipped in sunlight and brought back gleaming. Liam and I had barely stepped out of the jet before we were swept into the whirlwind of academy life again, but this time, it felt different. Purposeful. Electric. 

“You’re due for fitting in ten minutes, Estrella,” Tinku’s crisp voice called across the hall. She stood on the runway platform, clipboard in hand, a measuring tape draped like a sash over her shoulder. She was the embodiment of poise — her tailored ivory suit sharp enough to cut glass, her deep brown skin glowing under the spotlights already testing the stage. 

“On my way,” I replied, weaving between mannequins dressed in avant-garde creations. Feathers, silk, beadwork — each piece more magnificent than the last. 

Just as I dreamed a year ago

Tinku’s eyes sparkled as I approached. “Darling, you were born for this runway.” 

My lips curled into a confident smile. “I intend to prove it.” 

Nearby, Silantoi and Sasha were adjusting hemlines and pinning last-minute embellishments, their laughter filling the space with warmth. Sasha, surprisingly wore a statement blazer adorned with crushed sapphires, while Silantoi styled a cascading emerald gown that made her look like she belonged in a royal portrait. 

Lex, cool and composed, was organizing the model lineup with military precision. “Siin, you’re opening act one,” she directed smoothly. Siin, smirking for some reason, gave a playful salute before returning to his rehearsal strut down the runway. 

Csan and Kyle were in the corner, deep in discussion over lighting angles. “We need to capture the silhouettes perfectly at every turn,” Csan insisted, adjusting the spotlight focus. Kyle, thoughtful as always, nodded in agreement. “Golden hour effect indoors — I love it.” 

What has everybody turned into

And Liam — my Liam — watched from beside the velvet-curtained wings, his gaze fixed on me with quiet pride. He wore a tailored midnight-blue suit, no less regal than a king himself. The way his eyes followed my every move sent a ripple of warmth through me. 

“You’ll steal the show,” he murmured when I passed him. 

I glanced over my shoulder, daring. “Maybe. Or maybe I’ll let it steal me.” 

The fitting went swiftly — Tinku’s designs seemed to have been made for me even before I stepped into them. The final look was a breathtaking masterpiece: a sculpted gown of silk organza, layered in translucent hues of crimson and gold, with intricate beadwork swirling like constellations across the bodice. It flowed behind me like liquid fire. 

As I caught my reflection in the mirror, I felt it — not just beauty, but power. 

“You look like you belong on the cover of Royale Vogue,” Sasha said, adjusting a strand of my hair before tucking it behind my ear.